Unlicensed killer driver to be sentenced

Puipuiomaota Galuvao (left), the sister of former NRL star Joe Galuvao, leaves the Downing Centre District Court with her family in Sydney, Thursday, October. 1, 2015. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

SYDNEY – [AAP] An unlicensed driver who ran over and killed a schoolgirl as she waited for a bus has spent her first night in custody ahead of sentencing.

Puipuiomaota Galuvao, 28, the sister of former NRL star Joe Galuvao, apologised to the family of 16-year-old Aneri Pateland and broke down several times during a hearing at Sydney’s District Court on Monday.

The court heard the 28-year-old got behind the wheel of the four-wheel drive on September 15, 2014 after going to Kogarah Local Court with her friend Heidi Watson, who was appearing on a matter regarding her driver’s licence.

Galuvao said she told Ms Watson she didn’t want to drive the car but made the ‘stupid judgment’ call to do so to help her friend.

Minutes later, the vehicle, which was also carrying Ms Watson’s two young children, crashed into the teenager, killing her.

Following Monday’s hearing Galuvao was taken into custody.

She is due to be sentenced over six offences including dangerous driving causing death when the hearing continues on Tuesday.